Lessons from the Playroom

Original Air Date: May 29, 2019 "Every family has both peace and war, dysregulation and regulation, support and challenge." – Lisa Dion Parents often wish for a home without arguments, but sibling rivalry is an inevitable—and often valuable—part of childhood. In this episode, Lisa Dion explores how conflicts between siblings can be opportunities for learning, growth, and empowerment. What You'll Learn: Why disagreement is a natural and important part of sibling relationships How conflicts can foster emotional regulation, problem-solving, and resilience Strategies to support children in navigating sibling dynamics without taking sides Ways to help families embrace both harmony and healthy conflict as part of a balanced household Tune in to gain insight into the sibling dynamic and learn how to turn inevitable conflicts into meaningful opportunities for development and connection. Additional Resources:   💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities 📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy ✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives 🔗 Follow us on Instagram 🔗 Find us on Facebook

Original Air Date: January 02, 2024 Get ready to embrace the playful—and profound—world of villains in therapy! In this episode, Lisa Dion is joined by the amazing Maria Laquerre Diego, LMFT, RPT-S, as they explore how villain characters can offer clients a unique lens to understand themselves, their struggles, and their identities. Together, they dive into why villains aren't "bad" or diagnosable, how heroes rely on their counterparts, and how children often see reflections of themselves in both roles. What You'll Learn: Why villains are complex characters with their own narratives and motivations The indispensable role villains play in our lives and personal growth How perspective shapes our labeling of heroes and villains, challenging binary thinking The connection between a child's self-perception and their attraction to hero or villain characters Practical tools, including sand tray figures and dress-up items, to explore duality in therapy How to follow the client's lead, honoring their expertise in identifying with heroes or villains This episode encourages curiosity, self-reflection, and celebration of all the parts within us. Join Lisa and Maria to challenge binary thinking and discover how understanding both heroes and villains can enrich your play therapy practice and personal growth. Additional Resources:   💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities 📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy ✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives 🔗 Follow us on Instagram 🔗 Find us on Facebook

Original Air Date: November 28, 2023 In this groundbreaking episode, Lisa Dion is joined by Ludmila (Mila) Golovine, CEO and President of MasterWord Services, to explore a topic rarely addressed in play therapy: working with interpreters. Interpreters play a critical role in helping children heal, but their experience and the challenges they face are often overlooked. Lisa and Mila dive deep into how therapists can collaborate effectively with interpreters to create safe, attuned, and trauma-informed play therapy sessions. What You'll Learn: The role of the interpreter and how to honor the client's preferred language Recognizing cues in sessions when a child speaks their primary language or the language of their trauma Supporting both the child and interpreter as external regulators during trauma processing Setting boundaries that protect interpreters' window of tolerance and emotional safety Why family members should not act as interpreters Navigating cultural and language differences, non-verbal cues, and possible session ruptures Understanding attribution bias and its impact on client-therapist-interpreter relationships Practical strategies for attuned collaboration that promote healing for children Mila also shares trauma-informed resources for interpreters and offers actionable guidance for therapists working with children across languages and cultures. This episode is essential listening for therapists committed to inclusivity, attunement, and best practices in cross-linguistic play therapy. Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and tools to navigate these complex and critical sessions. 💕 Additional Resources:   💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities 📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy ✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives 🔗 Follow us on Instagram 🔗 Find us on Facebook

Original Air Date: April 17, 2019 "Twins are master co-regulators but also susceptible to losing themselves. The key is to help them find the 'I' in 'we.'" – Lisa Dion Twins may be nature's "2-for-1 deal," but being a twin—or working with twins—comes with unique challenges that singletons rarely face. In this episode, Lisa Dion (a fraternal twin herself) is joined by Susan Stutzman (mother of identical twins) to explore the joys and complexities of supporting twins in the playroom. What You'll Discover: How twins regulate each other and what happens when they struggle to find individuality Strategies for helping twins navigate separation anxiety and establish their own identities Insights from both personal and professional perspectives, bridging lived experience with play therapy expertise Tune in for a heartfelt and informative conversation about honoring the unique dynamics of twins while supporting their growth, self-expression, and emotional well-being. Additional Resources:   💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities 📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy ✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives 🔗 Follow us on Instagram 🔗 Find us on Facebook

Original Air Date: June 28, 2019 "It isn't about being a parent or not. It's about showing up in the playroom and being real." – Lisa Dion Being both a parent and a play therapist comes with unique insights—but it doesn't automatically provide all the answers in the playroom. In this episode, Lisa explores the benefits and challenges of navigating these dual roles, highlighting why every parent—and every child—is different. Tune in to discover: How parenthood can inform your work with children Why having children doesn't equal having all the answers in therapy Ways to show up authentically in the playroom, regardless of your parenting experience This episode is a thoughtful exploration of balancing personal and professional perspectives, helping therapists connect more deeply with the children they serve. Additional Resources:   💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities 📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy ✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives 🔗 Follow us on Instagram 🔗 Find us on Facebook

Original Air Date: November 7, 2023 Join Lisa Dion as she dives into a topic we all experience—therapists, parents, children—negative self-talk. Despite the countless affirmations we try, negative self-talk refuses to go away. But what if it wasn't meant to? In this perspective-shifting episode, Lisa explores the purpose behind negative self-talk and how it can actually support us. What You'll Learn: How negative self-talk shows up in thoughts like "I should," "I shouldn't," and "I'm not good enough" Why positive affirmations alone often don't work The surprising function of negative self-talk and what it's really trying to do The neuroscience behind it as a homeostatic mechanism in the mind Shifts in understanding depression and the role of negative self-talk Strategies to honor yourself while working with your inner critic How negative self-talk can become an ally in your journey toward authenticity Tune in to gain a new perspective on your inner dialogue and discover how understanding negative self-talk can help you navigate life with wisdom, self-compassion, and authenticity. 💕 Additional Resources:   💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities 📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy ✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives 🔗 Follow us on Instagram 🔗 Find us on Facebook

Original Air Date: October 24, 2023 In this captivating episode, Lisa Dion is joined by three incredible colleagues—Michelle Wayman, Mili Shoemaker, and Lisa Walton—from Argentina, Australia, and the United States. Together, they explore a fascinating question: why do therapists attract the clients they do? Have you noticed patterns in your caseload, with clients showing up who reflect similar struggles or challenges? Lisa and her guests dive into how these connections are far from random. Clients often act as mirrors, reflecting parts of our own experiences and guiding us toward self-discovery and growth. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why the clients who enter our therapy spaces are not random and what they reveal about our own journeys How clients serve as teachers, mirroring experiences we might be avoiding or haven't yet integrated Why countertransference can be embraced as a tool for deeper understanding and connection How awareness of these patterns can transform your practice, infusing it with curiosity, self-awareness, and deeper opportunities for co-regulation and healing This episode is a heartfelt reminder that clients are more than recipients of therapy—they are guides and mirrors helping us illuminate where we need to grow, heal, and show up more fully. Tune in to explore how understanding these connections can enrich both your professional practice and personal journey. 💕 Additional Resources:   💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities 📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy ✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives 🔗 Follow us on Instagram 🔗 Find us on Facebook

The brain is a high-maintenance organ—and it thrives on challenge! In this episode, Lisa Dion explores how play therapists can stay energized, inspired, and fulfilled by giving the brain the growth it craves while also giving ourselves permission to be authentically ourselves. "We all have deep within us the desire to pursue something that inspires us. We have a natural desire to evolve and grow." – Lisa Dion Tune in to discover practical ways to honor your brain's need for growth, embrace what excites you, and stay connected to what drew you to play therapy in the first place. This episode is a reminder that personal evolution and professional fulfillment go hand in hand. Additional Resources:   💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities 📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy ✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives 🔗 Follow us on Instagram 🔗 Find us on Facebook

Original Air Date: October 10, 2023 In this powerful episode, Lisa Dion is joined by the incredible Heather Fairlee Denbrough—Certified Synergetic Play Therapist/Supervisor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor—to tackle one of the most challenging and important topics in child therapy: supporting children experiencing suicidal ideation or attempts. This conversation is an essential resource for caregivers and professionals alike. Lisa and Heather offer practical guidance, hope, and strategies to help children navigate these overwhelming experiences safely and compassionately. What You'll Learn: How to recognize subtle signs of suicidal thoughts in children Creating a safe, nonjudgmental space for children to share their feelings Using play as a tool for children to explore and shift their stories Developing safety plans with children and caregivers, identifying triggers and red flags Facilitating open conversations about suicidal ideation with children and families Prioritizing therapist self-care and maintaining emotional safety in difficult sessions Accessing support networks and resources for challenging situations Join Lisa and Heather for this crucial conversation that emphasizes empathy, connection, and compassion when supporting children through some of life's most difficult moments. ❤️ Note: This episode is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. Additional Resources:   💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities 📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy ✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives 🔗 Follow us on Instagram 🔗 Find us on Facebook

Original Air Date: September 19, 2019 "Broken toys may be a metaphor for how children see themselves." – Lisa Dion In this episode, Lisa tackles the "little" questions that often carry big meaning in the playroom. What do you do with broken toys? How should you handle food, lying, or a child wanting to take a toy home? Each situation offers insight into a child's inner world and an opportunity for connection, growth, and understanding. Tune in as Lisa shares practical strategies and thoughtful reflections to turn everyday playroom moments into meaningful learning experiences. Additional Resources:   💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities 📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy ✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives 🔗 Follow us on Instagram 🔗 Find us on Facebook

Often, when we think about boundaries, we imagine a list of rules and restrictions like: you can't do this, you can do this, and if you don't do this, this is going to happen. But this isn't actually the essence of a boundary and it's not what the boundary is designed for.  Setting boundaries is actually a courageous act that requires self-awareness and self-love. It's about prioritizing your own well-being and honoring your own needs. And by understanding the importance of boundaries, we can navigate relationships and maintain our connection to ourselves. Join Lisa in this episode where you're invited to embrace a more flexible approach to boundaries … but we get it - even the words "flexible" and "boundary" may seem contradictory to you right now.  Here's what you'll learn:  Why boundaries are flexible and can change from moment to moment; How setting boundaries is about taking responsibility for ourselves, not controlling others; How to recognize the clues (in our bodies) that tell us when it's time to set a boundary;  Why nervous system work is essential for boundary work; Different ways to set boundaries, such as redirecting, being honest, or removing oneself from the situation; Why rejection often makes setting boundaries challenging (... and when we don't set a boundary, how it's a form of self-rejection);  Why sometimes perceived deal breakers aren't actually deal breakers; and How to translate this more relational-boundary setting into our work as clinicians. Tune in to this episode and discover how honoring your boundaries not only allows for connection and maintains relationships, but is a deep act of self-love and acknowledgement of your own worthiness. ✨ Additional Resources:   💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities 📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy ✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives 🔗 Follow us on Instagram 🔗 Find us on Facebook

Original Air Date: July 30, 2023 In this deeply insightful episode, Lisa Dion is joined by Dr. Dee Ray, an expert in the field of multicultural play therapy, to discuss an incredibly important and timely topic for every play therapist: Multiculturalism in Play Therapy. If you don't already own Dee's book, Multicultural Play Therapy, you'll definitely want to grab a copy after listening to this conversation—it's an essential resource for therapists working with children! In this episode, you'll hear Dr. Ray's wisdom on how to integrate multiculturalism into your play therapy practice to connect more deeply with your clients from diverse backgrounds. In this episode, you'll learn: 🌎 What multicultural play therapy is—and what it means to be a culturally-inclusive play therapist. 🤝 Cultural humility—How cultural humility is the cornerstone of creating cultural opportunity in therapy. ⛔ Barriers and fears—Identifying and addressing barriers that prevent us from fully connecting with ourselves and our child clients. 🔨 Repairing ruptures—What to do when a rupture occurs in the therapeutic relationship and how to use cultural humility and cultural comfort to bring about cultural opportunity. 👨‍👩‍👧 Working with families—How to develop a more multicultural orientation when working within the family system and with parents/caregivers. 📚 Multicultural playroom—What research says about creating a multicultural playroom and how to incorporate multiculturalism into your play therapy room. This episode is a must-listen for all clinicians, especially those working with children from diverse backgrounds. Dr. Ray offers practical insights and advice on how we can be more culturally aware and inclusive in our work as play therapists. Don't miss this important conversation that will inspire you to bring multiculturalism more consciously into your practice and to create an environment where all children feel seen, understood, and valued. 🌟 Listen now and share this episode with anyone who could benefit from learning about multiculturalism in play therapy. Additional Resources:   💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities 📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy ✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives 🔗 Follow us on Instagram 🔗 Find us on Facebook

"Perfectionism is the strategy the child is using to manage their anxiety and fear." – Lisa Dion That child who needs everything just right? Who gets upset when the block tower falls or the drawing isn't "perfect"? There's more going on than meets the eye. In this episode, Lisa unpacks the deeper truth behind perfectionism in the playroom—and why it's not just about wanting to do things well. At its core, perfectionism is often a protective strategy, a way for a child to manage inner uncertainty, fear, and anxiety. You'll learn how to recognize the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways perfectionism shows up in your sessions, and most importantly, how to help children return to themselves—to a place of safety, self-trust, and inner regulation. This episode is a beautiful reminder: we don't have to "fix" perfectionism—we just have to meet it with presence. Original Air Date: November 22, 2019

In this groundbreaking episode, Lisa is joined by Gabriel (Gabe) Lomas, an expert in the field of play therapy, to address a topic rarely discussed in the world of therapy: working with deaf children in the playroom. This episode offers a unique and insightful perspective that will deepen your understanding and approach to supporting children who are deaf. In this episode, Gabe shares his expertise on the challenges and nuances of working with deaf children in therapy, helping to shine a light on an often misunderstood and overlooked aspect of play therapy. In this episode, you'll hear: 🔍 Understanding deaf children—Why deaf children are often misunderstood and how to address these misunderstandings in the therapeutic space. 💬 Challenges of being deaf—The emotional and developmental challenges deaf children face, especially in the parent-child relationship. 🗣️ Effective communication—Why it's crucial to speak to deaf children in a language that makes sense to them and how this influences the therapeutic relationship. 🎲 The role of play therapy—How play therapy can bridge the gap, helping deaf children explore perceptions of themselves and their world. 🤝 Joining the world of a deaf child—How to offer deaf children a felt sense of being understood, seen, and validated during play therapy sessions. 🔊 Advocacy for deaf children—What therapists, educators, and caregivers need to be aware of when advocating for deaf children's needs in therapy and beyond. This episode will provide you with deep insights into the lived experiences of deaf children and how to be a more effective and compassionate therapist, parent, or educator for them. Gabe shares real-life case examples from his own experiences in child welfare and play therapy, and he even reveals what he believes to be the superpowers of deaf children—a powerful ending you won't want to miss! 🌟 Listen to this episode and gain a profound understanding of how to support and advocate for deaf children in your practice and beyond. Additional Resources:   💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities 📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy ✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives 🔗 Follow us on Instagram 🔗 Find us on Facebook

Original Air Date: July 5, 2022 We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Carmen Jimenez-Pride—a fellow SPTer, therapist, healer, and a beautiful example of what it means to live fully, expansively, authentically, and without playing small. Carmen left her mark in countless ways—through her innovative tools, creative resources, powerful trainings, books, advocacy, and her deeply healing presence. She poured her heart into supporting the play therapy community, always pushing the edges of what was possible with boldness, brilliance, and compassion. Her clients, colleagues, supervisees, trainees, and all who knew her were profoundly touched by her gifts. We hold them—and her loved ones—in our thoughts during this time. In her honor, we are resharing this powerful and inspiring conversation between Lisa and Carmen on integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) into the playroom. Like Carmen's work, this episode continues to expand hearts and inspire play therapists around the world. 🌿💜 In this conversation, you'll hear Carmen and Lisa explore: What IFS looks like in the playroom and with child clients How to help clients build a relationship with all their parts (exiles, protectors, firefighters) How to support children in fully embracing who they are and the experiences that shaped them Ways to share IFS work with parents/caregivers and help them understand their own parts How to recognize our own therapist parts and how they might show up in sessions One of the biggest lies play therapists often tell themselves—and why it impacts our wellbeing And as a bonus, you'll get to hear a funny story about how Carmen didn't want to be a therapist at first … and the journey that eventually brought her here (thank goodness it did!). 🌿 Carmen, thank you for everything you gave. Your legacy lives on in the many marks you've made on this world. 💜

This is both a milestone and a farewell. After years of heartfelt conversations, transformative insights, and connections across the globe, Lessons from the Playroom reaches its 200th—and final—episode (at least for now). To mark this occasion, Lisa is joined by someone who has been part of the podcast from the very beginning: her daughter, Avery Dion. Many listeners will remember Avery's sweet childhood voice in the podcast jingle—today, at 19 years old, she returns for her third and most profound conversation with Lisa. Together, they explore what it truly means that the body keeps the score. Avery courageously shares her lived experience with chronic Lyme disease and the surprising ways her body has become both messenger and teacher. From pain and symptoms that point toward hidden truths, to the psychology of autoimmune illness and the role of self-compassion, Lisa and Avery dive into the raw, real, and deeply human ways the body holds memory, emotion, and wisdom. Together, they explore: How the body holds memory, emotion, and unfinished stories Avery's journey with chronic Lyme disease and the wisdom it revealed The connection between autoimmune illness and self-criticism Why pain and symptoms can be seen as protectors and messengers What it means to find neutrality and balance in life's highs and lows An invitation for listeners to pause, tune into their bodies, and welcome symptoms as guides toward authenticity Recorded in the intimacy of their own space, this episode is as tender as it is inspiring. It is not only about Avery's healing, but also about the ways her journey has shaped Lisa as a therapist, teacher, and mother. As Lisa closes this chapter of Lessons from the Playroom, she extends deep gratitude to every listener who has been part of this journey. While the podcast itself is wrapping up, the library of 200 episodes remains—an ongoing resource and companion for therapists, parents, and seekers of wisdom both inside and outside the playroom. 💜 Thank you for listening, sharing, and growing alongside us. May these lessons continue to guide and inspire you for years to come.  

Original Air Date: June 22, 2023 We are so excited about this hot topic and our incredible guest—Stacy Jagger! Stacy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S), and AAMFT Approved Supervisor. She is the founder and clinical director of Music City Family Therapy and the author of 30 Day Blackout and A Letter from Emma. You may have seen her as a regular guest on "Today in Nashville" or sharing her expertise on child development on local morning and evening news. In this episode, Stacy and Lisa dive into how screens—phones, tablets, TVs, and computers—impact children and families. For many families, screens have become a distraction from connection or a way to avoid deeper issues. More importantly, excessive screen use is a major cause of dysregulation in kids' nervous systems. 💡 What you'll learn in this episode: 📱 The impact of screen time on children—How excessive digital engagement can influence nervous system regulation and emotional well-being. 🔍 Assessing screen time use—How to evaluate a child and family's screen habits and connect it to their treatment goals. 🔄 Shifting focus to connection—Ways to help families disconnect from screens and rebuild relationships with themselves and each other. ⏳ The 30-Day Digital Detox—What it looks like to recalibrate a child and family's nervous system through a screen-time blackout (or greyout). 🌱 Rebuilding a new normal—How to artfully reintegrate screens after a blackout period without returning to old habits. This powerful conversation will give you insights, tools, and practical strategies to help families find balance in their screen use and prioritize connection over digital distraction. 📌 Curious to see if your family (or your clients) might benefit from a 30-Day Blackout? Take Stacy Jagger's Screen Time Quiz: Click here to take the quiz. 🌟  Listen now and discover how to help families reset, reconnect, and create a healthier digital balance. Additional Resources:   💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities 📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy ✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives 🔗 Follow us on Instagram 🔗 Find us on Facebook  

In this episode, Lisa welcomes back Ana Gomez, internationally recognized expert in EMDR Therapy, complex trauma, and dissociation, for her third appearance on the podcast. Ana shares insights from her brand-new book, EMDR Sand Tray-Based Therapy: Healing Complex Trauma and Dissociation Across the Lifespan, offering practical, innovative strategies for trauma work. Together, Lisa and Ana explore the evolution of Ana's integrative approach, combining her love of symbols, dreams, and sand tray work with EMDR therapy. This powerful union creates a flexible pathway for clients to safely access and process traumatic experiences, reorganize their relationship with their life stories, and unlock reparative, healing moments—even when verbal language is limited. In this episode, you'll learn about: How sand tray symbols and avatars act as "story keepers," allowing children and adults to safely engage with overwhelming experiences. Real-life clinical examples, including a transformative case with a child in foster care who connected with his experiences through symbolic play before he could verbalize them. Strategies for integrating EMDR and sand tray therapy with individual clients, parent-child dyads, families, and group settings. How to honor protective patterns and internal defenses while gradually moving experiences from implicit memory into explicit awareness. Ways parents can actively participate in sessions, supporting attachment completions and delivering guided interweaves under the therapist's guidance. Practical insights for therapists, play therapists, and trauma professionals seeking adaptable, client-centered approaches that facilitate healing, integration, and identity work. Ana also shares where to find her book and access her global trainings and workshops, providing clinicians with tools to deepen their practice and expand their therapeutic repertoire. Whether you're EMDR-trained, a play therapist, or simply curious about innovative trauma work, this episode is packed with wisdom, inspiration, and practical guidance for your clinical toolkit.  

Original Air Date: May 3, 2020 The word compassion means 'to suffer with' or merge with. This is different than empathy." – Lisa Dion As play therapists, we hold so much. And often, we don't realize how deeply the work impacts us—especially when we're navigating crises both personally and professionally. In this essential episode, Lisa explores the nuanced differences between vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue—experiences that are far more common in the field than we may recognize. She also reflects on what happens when therapists are living through the same crises as their clients (as many did during the COVID-19 pandemic), and how that overlap can amplify the emotional toll. This is a deeply important conversation that shines a compassionate light on the realities of holding space for others—without losing ourselves in the process. 🎧 If you're a play therapist, caregiver, or anyone who supports others through pain, this one is for you.

What happens when therapists bring their own attachment histories into the playroom—consciously or not? In this deeply validating and insightful conversation, Lisa welcomes back Dr. Clair Mellenthin—renowned play therapist, author, and professor—to unpack her groundbreaking dissertation research and explore how a therapist's personal story shapes their clinical work, especially within family-based play therapy. Together, they explore: Why many play therapists are drawn to the work as "wounded healers" Research that debunks the myth of needing to be fully healed to help others How personal attachment wounds show up in the playroom—and why doing our own work matters The power of mentorship and community in creating earned security and ongoing healing How support systems help therapists feel seen, grounded, and more confident with families Common struggles therapists face when working with parents, especially with limited training Practical steps for building confidence through integration, connection, and focused learning Moving stories that show the healing ripple from therapist to family Whether you're a student, seasoned therapist, or supervisor, this episode offers normalization, challenge, and inspiration—helping you reflect on your therapeutic presence, embrace your vulnerabilities, and cultivate authentic connection in the healing space.